I was dozing when the door swung open. A woman glided in, her heels clicking against the healing ward floor. She wore a fitted red dress that showed off her rail-thin frame, and her blonde hair was pulled back so tight it looked painful.
"I appreciate you for saving my intended's life," she said, her voice sharp as broken glass. "Perhaps the story would have ended in pain and loss if you hadn't played your cards well."
I blinked at her, still groggy from the pain medication. Nonna looked up from her phone, her eyes narrowing.
"But beyond saving Alpha King Jack Hudson, I saw your acting," the woman continued, circling my bed like a predator. "I must commend your skills. They are top notch. But being a drama queen will earn you nothing."
My wolf stirred beneath my skin, sensing the threat in her tone.
"You won't get beyond mere compensation. That's the best you can have. So don't try earning the Alpha King's love with your acting skills." She leaned closer, her perfume overwhelming. "He is betrothed and we are getting married. Take your mind off him, unless you want him to get a taste of the juicy part between your legs and then he'll come back to me."
"Get out." Nonna stood, her chair scraping loudly. "If you want to be protective of your intended, go do it elsewhere. My friend has no eyes for him."
The woman smiled, cold and calculating. "Hmm, you are intelligent. But I just needed to let you know anyway." She pulled out a bundle of bills and tossed them at me. They scattered across my blanket. "Alpha King Jack Hudson is mine and can never condescend so low to fuck a dirty omega who lives in the slums."
Nonna snatched the money and flung it back at her face. The bills fluttered between them like dead leaves. The woman ignored them, turned on her heel, and walked out. She paused at the door to blow kisses at the royal guards stationed outside.
"What will I not experience in this life?" I said when she was gone. "This skinny woman came to warn me to back off from Jack Hudson?"
"She's a loser who lives in fear that she'll lose him," Nonna said, gathering the scattered bills. "Her fear is making her act crazy. Forget it, Aria. She's not worth it."
I nodded, but my wolf was still agitated beneath my skin.
Twenty minutes later, the door opened again. This time, a small figure burst through, and my heart leaped.
"Cody," I breathed.
My son wore a miniature version of royal garments, a black suit with silver threading that matched his father's exactly. Their haircuts were identical, sharp and precise. Even their dark sunglasses were the same. Cody removed his sunglasses with a practiced flick, just like Jack always did.
Behind him, Jack Hudson stood in the doorway, tall and commanding in his formal Alpha attire. Eduardo, his personal guard, closed the door softly behind them.
I reached for Cody, my arms stretching out automatically. Pain exploded through my side where the knife had gone in.
"Ahhh," I gasped, clutching my wound.
"Careful, Aurora," Jack said, moving toward me.
I shot him a look that could have frozen fire. He stopped, his eyes meeting mine, and I saw him glance meaningfully at Cody. Right. I wouldn't let our son see how much I resented his father right now.
"Mommy!" Cody ran to the bed, and Jack caught him gently, lifting him onto the mattress carefully, away from my injured side.
"Cody," I choked out. I wrapped my arm around him and pressed my lips to his temple. I couldn't let go. My tears came without permission, hot and fast.
"I missed you, mommy," Cody said, his voice small. His eyes were wet too.
"I missed you more, baby," I managed. My nose was running, my eyes burning. I ran my hand through his hair, admiring the precise cut. He looked so much like his father it made my chest ache.
My eyes met Jack's across the bed. He looked good. Too good. Handsome and powerful in his royal clothes, every inch the Alpha King. I looked away quickly.
"Why didn't you come see daddy and me?" Cody asked, resting his head on my chest. I winced but didn't push him away.
"Your daddy is so busy," I said, giving Jack another cold stare. "I don't want to bother you both."
"I thought you didn't love daddy and me," Cody said. "I was worried, mommy."
My heart cracked. "Of course not, honey. How can I not love your daddy and you? You are both so important to me. And besides, why are you crying now?"
"You are crying first," Cody said. "I'm trying to do exactly like you're doing."
I laughed through my tears. Eduardo smiled from his post by the door. Even Jack's lips twitched.
"Okay, no more tears, baby," I said, kissing his temple again. "You look so cute and handsome, my love."
"Thank you, mommy. I'm looking like my daddy. Aren't you going to say that my daddy is also cute?" Cody glanced at his father, and I caught Jack giving him a thumbs up behind his back.
"Of course," I said flatly. "You are looking great, Jack."
"Thank you, Aria," Jack said softly.
"Good to see you alive again, Miss Bluey," Eduardo said, bowing slightly. His respect seemed genuine.
"Thank you, Eduardo. I'm grateful."
Nonna emerged from the bathroom, her face lighting up. "My godson is here!" She scooped Cody off the bed, hugging him tight and kissing his neck. He giggled uncontrollably.
"I love you, I miss you, I cherish you, I..." Nonna paused dramatically. "Tell me more words to use, Aria?"
"I can't do without you," Jack said, his eyes fixed on me.
The air thickened. Everyone stared at him.
"I can't stop loving you, whatever," I said quickly, ignoring the intensity of his gaze.
"Oh yes, I can't stop loving you," Nonna continued, kissing Cody's cheek. "I will keep loving and missing you until your daddy takes the initiative and says he loves the right person, not some skinny woman who claimed to be his intended."
"Gene," I said sharply.
Jack's expression darkened. "We'll need to talk, Nonna."
A servant brought food, and Jack said, "Son, stay with the cook. Your mom and dad need to talk, okay?"
Cody nodded. Eduardo lifted him carefully.
"Will you let him see me again?" I asked, my voice hard.
"Yeah. Everyday."
Nonna waved goodbye as they left. She set up the patient table, and Jack explained he'd brought breakfast for both of us.
"I will feed her," Jack announced.
"Hell no," I said.
"Yes, Alpha King Jack," Nonna said firmly. "I won't even let you feed her. We don't want your intended to walk in here and verbally attack us again."
"Don't say anything, Nonna," I warned.
"Intended?" Jack's voice was ice. "Which intended are you talking about?"